HR leaders worldwide responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in various ways, resulting in a complete transformation of our workforce today. Yet, the transition to an entirely remote environment was not easy for many individuals and still may be challenging to navigate.
As HR leaders continue to introduce new strategies and processes to their organizations, the need for new technology and resources intensifies. Now more than ever, it is crucial for HR teams to ensure they understand the long-term effects and challenges of the future of work beyond COVID.
Today's HR Challenges
The last few years, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, have created three primary challenges for companies and their HR professionals to tackle regarding the future of work.
While signing up for HR Services or getting started with paperless HR (HR Solutions) can be a great way to begin to tackle said challenges, your HR professionals and managers need to understand, in-depth, the hurdles they must overcome. Knowing what the biggest trending HR problems are is only half the goal.
Employee Burnout
For decades, avoiding employee burnout has been a challenge for many businesses, regardless of the size or function of their organization. With many employees continuing to work from home, the effects of burnout have become top of mind for HR teams across the globe.
According to a recent study, "75% of workers have experienced burnout, and 40% of those polled said it was a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic."
While burnout isn't entirely avoidable, HR leaders are creating new tactics to reduce their employees' exposure.
Avoiding Employee Burnout
The essence of the challenge is this, to avoid burnout managers need to find a way to encourage their employees to take care of their physical and mental health while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Kayla Meyer, Senior Director of HR at US Radiology Specialists, stated that burnout has remained prevalent within the healthcare industry for a long time, and it continues to worsen as more and more demands are put on their frontline staff.
Despite the varying effects of burnout, the following strategies can be helpful in managing burnout within the workplace:
- Incorporating employee engagement surveys
- Scheduling weekly happy hours (can be virtual)
- Encouraging open communication with the team and discussing best practices
- Providing childcare opportunities to parents
- Offering employee assistance programs
Hybrid and Remote Work
As the world moves toward the future of work, new discussions emerge about what our new normal will look like. What plans and policies should remain in place, and how to respond to major threats?
Specifically, transitioning towards a hybrid-work model has been challenging to tackle as employees are unsure whether they want to return to the office.
According to another recent study, 55 percent of workers said they prefer working remotely three days a week. Meanwhile, 68 percent of U.S. executives said workers should be in the office at least three days a week. While there might be a disconnect between employees' and executives' opinions, organizations must try to accommodate both sides of the coin.
A few ideas leaders should consider are:
- Investing in better technology for virtual conferences
- Determining if your employees prefer a dedicated workplace
- Setting up a safe plan for employees to return to the office
- Team training to create a better virtual work experience
Employee Turnover and The Great Resignation
As a result of COVID, employee turnover has risen quite a bit and has certainly taken a toll on all kinds of businesses.
The issue of attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent has put many organizations at risk as it creates a more competitive environment in the race to hire.
Erin Talbot, PHR, sHRBP, MPA, and VP of HR at Diamonds Direct, shared, "We are focusing on how we can advertise our culture and making sure that once we bring somebody on board that it is done quickly, making them become part of that family right away so that they feel valued and have a voice."
To improve employee retention, HR leaders should focus on:
- Improving scheduling and work flexibility
- Listening to employees’ needs
- Managing employee recognition programs
- Developing a succession plan
- Embracing company culture
What's Next for HR Professionals
In just a few years, the world flipped upside down, and more people have become anxious about when they can go back to their "normal" life.
However, normal is a forever evolving term, and the new normal of a working world forever changed by COVID is something that many employers will need to adjust to. It is most important to stay informed throughout these difficult times and continue to readjust current strategies that adapt to the future of work. Yet remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for HR leaders to follow, so it is important to understand the needs of your business and to execute new strategies accordingly.
To learn more about how EBC HCM is helping countless businesses adjust to the new normal through things such as HR Services, or other people management solutions such as hiring and onboarding, contact us today.
